Tube Coupling

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a coupling for tubes with a body with a neck ( 14 ) provided with two or more longitudinal recesses ( 15 ) and each of which is positioned a jaw ( 12 ) able to move radially between and expanded release position and a contracted lock position. The jaws can move from one position to the other by means of cam surfaces ( 24 ) provided inside a tightening nut ( 13 ) assembled and susceptible to partial rotation on the neck of the coupling body. Furthermore the nut has means for interacting with the neck to block it and prevent it from turning in the release direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a coupling for metal, plastic or multi-layer tubes for plumbing, both in sanitation and heating systems.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

The type of coupling here considered can be straight, female or male, straight intermediate, an elbow joint, T or Y etc., used to be connected together or to other components of pipes used in water systems but not only. At present there are many and well known types available on the market, for example threaded couplings, compression joints, press-fittings, rapid fittings and so on. Usually these couplings have at least one ring locking element to tighten around the end of the pipe, with the help of a conical threaded nut or press-fitting to enable it to grip on the external surface of the pipe.

Usually, with pipes with a metal core and at least one external coating, tightening of the blocking element must be adjusted so that it only partially cuts into the covering and does not cut through it and come into contact with the metal part of the pipe. Furthermore with these types of tube it is necessary to avoid contact with the fluid flowing through the metal pipe, the free end of which is normally bare.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of this invention is to provide a coupling for pipes which has a new concept and has a simple, rapid and efficient block/release system, involving only a partial rotation of one component on and with respect to another.

A second object of the invention is to provide a new, original coupling for pipes using gripping elements that engage the pipe to be blocked only for a part of its length without however encompassing it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupling for pipes that can be made not only of metal, such as brass or steel, but also totally or partially of a synthetic material, produced by moulding or some other forming technique.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling suitable both for metal and plastic material pipes, but in particular for connecting multilayer pipes, the coupling being equipped with physical means to limit the level of tightening of the gripping elements, so that they do not cut through the layer of external coating in that type of pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling which is reliable when in use in that it cannot be accidentally released and moreover its sealing capacity increases when operating under high pressure.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a coupling which is easy to use in as much as its components always maintain their correct position even when the coupling is released and is packed and handled.

Said objects and subsequent practical and functional advantages are reached, according to the invention, by a coupling for tubes in accordance with claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will however be described more in detail with reference to the enclosed indicative and not limiting drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of only the coupling body;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show, respectively, a side view and a longitudinal section of the coupling;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section level with the neck of the coupling body;

FIG. 5 shows a view in perspective of the tightening nut;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the tightening nut seen from one end and a longitudinal section respectively;

FIG. 8 shows a view in perspective of a jaw;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show, respectively, a longitudinal section and a cross section of the jaw in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows a view in perspective of the coupling assembled complete with pipe;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show, respectively, a side view and a longitudinal section of the assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 shows a view in perspective of a construction variation of the jaw, and

FIGS. 15 and 16 show, respectively, the side views and cross section of the jaw in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The coupling subject of this invention comprises a coupling body 11, at least two jaws 12 and a tightening nut 13.

The body 11 can be straight, an elbow, a T, a Y coupling or the like. In the example shown it is straight—FIGS. 1-4—and has, in one part of it, a hollow, cylindrical neck 14 in the walls of which are machined, longitudinal recesses 15 spaced at an angle to each other. In the case in question there are two diametrally opposite recesses 15, and the neck 14 forms a housing 14′ with an internal diameter compatible with the diameter of the pipe to be connected 16. On the other side, the body 11 can have a completely similar neck (thus forming a double coupling) or a threaded female section 11′ as shown or a male threaded section. In any case, the body 11 can also have an external polygonal part 11″, better if hexagonal, to facilitate gripping with a tool.

The jaws 12 are rectilinear and each one is housed in a recess 15 of the neck 14 of the coupling body 11 with the possibility of moving radially between an expanded release position and a contracted locking one. In the release position the jaws are moved towards the outside of the neck and when in the locked position towards the axis of the neck.

Each jaw 12—FIGS. 8, 14—has the shape of a cylindrical section with a diameter compatible with that of the pipe 16 to be blocked. It has a smooth external surface 17 and a toothed internal one with a series of serrated gripper teeth 18, parallel to each other and oriented crossways to the jaw itself.

On each of the longitudinal sides, that is from opposite sides of the teeth 18, each jaw 12 has a supporting plane 19 made to rest on a facing locator step 20 cut along each side of every recess 15 so as to set the maximum movement position of the jaw towards the contracted locking position.

Furthermore, each longitudinal side of each jaw 12 has at least one tab 112 made to fit into a corresponding indent 115 provided in the relative side of the recess 15 so as to prevent the jaw from moving, tilting and falling inside the neck, which would prevent the pipe from entering, thus obstructing the immediate use of the coupling on the part of the user.

The tightening nut 13 is placed around the neck 14 of the coupling body 11 and has in preference a hexagonal external surface to facilitate gripping by a manoeuvring tool. It is held axially on the neck 14, but has the possibility to turn, between an annular shoulder 21 at the base of the neck and the radial locking lugs 22 at the free end of the neck itself.

Internally, the tightening nut 12 has lengthwise, as many grooves 23 as jaws 12 associated with the neck 14 of the coupling body 11. Starting from each groove 23, the tightening nut 13 has also a cam thrust surface 24 provided to engage with the external surface 17 of each jaw 12.

On the head of the tightening nut 13 in the area between the grooves 23, at least one upward ramp 113 terminating in a front anti-release indent 113′. Preferably the ramps 113 are the same number as the radial locking lugs 22 of the neck 14 of the coupling body.

All the components 11, 12, 13 of the coupling can advantageously be made of a suitable plastic material. However, where it is considered necessary and opportune, al least the jaws 12 can be made out of a metal, such as for example brass or steel.

The gripper teeth 18 are triangular in shape for assembly and bidirectional use of the jaws. However in the case of steel serrated gripper teeth 18 they can be a different shape and made by shearing and bending as shown in FIGS. 14-16.

In practice, when the tightening nut 13 is turned and its internal grooves 23 coincide with the jaws 12, the latter can expand into the locking position. In such a condition, the pipe 16 in question can be connected to the coupling or, if already connected can be disconnected.

The pipe is connected to the coupling by inserting one of its ends into the neck 14, where it is seal fitted with the help of at least one annular seal 25. The pipe 16 is then blocked in the coupling body following a partial turn of the tightening nut 13. By turning in this way, the internal cam 24 surfaces of the tightening nut 13 push the jaws 12 radially towards the pipe or the contracted blocking position where their serrated gripper teeth 18 engage the external surface of the pipe, blocking it firmly without it having the possibility either to turn or to slip out axially even in the presence of a fluid under pressure passing through the pipe. However the maximum depth gripping depth of the pipe by the serrated teeth 18 will be limited by the support of the lateral plane surface 19 of the jaws 12 on the lateral locator steps 20 of the indents 15 which house them to prevent the serrated teeth 18 from cutting through the pipe protective coating when the pipe is multilayer with an external coating.

Following the rotation the lugs 22 at the end of the neck begin to move up the upward ramps 113 on the head of tightening nut 13 until they fit into the anti locking 113′ indents, compelling the body of the coupling to fit completely and tightly on the pipe. These indents stop the nut from turning backwards in the releasing direction, ensuring the coupling-pipe joint.

It should also be noted that on the bottom of the housing 14′ which receives the pipe, a seal 114′ is provided to act against the end of the pipe. This seal, due to its elasticity, forms a seal on the end of the pipe even when the pipe moves backwards when it is subjected to operating pressure. Furthermore, in the case of multilayer pipes, this seal 114′ also helps to prevent the fluid coming into contact with the metal core of the pipe as is required by regulations. 

1. Coupling for metal, plastic material or multilayer tubes, comprising a coupling body on at least one of its ends a hollow cylindrical neck forming a sealed housing at one end of a pipe, and a tightening nut assembled and turning around the neck of said body, characterized in that in the neck of the coupling body at least two angularly spaced recesses are provided, each of said recesses holds a jaw having an external thrust surface and some serrated gripper teeth facing inwards towards the pipe housing, each jaw can move radially to the neck between an extended release position and a contracted locking position set by locator steps on the sides of each recess, inside the tightening nut are provided cam thrust surfaces interacting with the external surface of the jaws so as to cause the movement of the latter from the expanded release position to the contracted lock position in response to a partial turn of said tightening nut on the neck of the coupling body, and a head of said nut is provided with anti-release indents made to interact with the radial lugs at the free end of the neck of the coupling body to stop the nut turning in the release direction once it has been locked.
 2. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which the tightening nut has internal longitudinal grooves which can be positioned in line with the jaws so that the latter can expand into the release position, each cam thrust surface extending peripherally from a respective groove.
 3. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which the tightening nut is assembled and turns on the neck of the body of the coupling without translating axially, held between an annular shoulder at the base of the neck and the radial lugs at the free end of said neck.
 4. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which each anti-release indent on the head of the tightening nut is associated with an upward ramp interacting with a relative radial lug of the neck of the coupling body, so as to translate said body towards the end of the tube.
 5. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which each jaw is in the shape of a cylindrical sector with a smooth external surface forming the thrust surface and an internal surface provided with serrated gripping teeth positioned in parallel and oriented crossways to the jaw.
 6. Coupling for tubes according to claim 5, in which each jaw (12) has at least some lateral supporting planes (19) and each recess (15) has at least some lateral locator steps (20) interacting with said supporting planes (19) to form the maximum movement position of the jaws (12) towards the contracted lock position.
 7. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which a seal is placed between the bottom of the housing of the pipe receiver and the free end of the pipe itself.
 8. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which the serrated teeth of each jaw are triangular section.
 9. Coupling for tubes according to claim 8, in which at least the gripper jaws are metal such as brass.
 10. Coupling for tubes according to claim 1, in which the serrated gripper teeth of each jaw are sheared and bent from a starting element.
 11. Coupling for tubes according to claim 10, in which at least the gripper jaws are made of a metal such as steel. 